Rarest and Spectacular Meteor Shower in August 2012 – Facts Analysis

Story:

During the night from August 12 to 13, the people on Earth will have a chance to see one of the rarest meteor shower. During the night you will be able to see thousands of these falling stars until August 23, these meteors will have best visibility during the night from 12 to the 13 of August. There is a predicted number of about 100 meteros an hour.

Be sure to Share this Opportunity…

Analysis:

The message claims that people on earth will be able to witness one of the rarest meteor showers during the night between August 12 to 13. It says that people will be able to see thousands of falling stars until August 23rd, predicting about 100 meteors falling per hour. This phenomenon is a fact, but the details that come with this message are exaggerated.

The astronomical phenomenon discussed here relates to Perseids, a prolific meteor shower which is associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, radiating from the constellation Perseus. The comet Swift-Tuttle keeps traveling on its 130-year orbit and ejects a cloud consisting of particles of ice, dust, rock, and other debris (referred to as Perseid cloud). Every year in early August, when earth passes through the orbit of this comet Swift-Tuttle, this Perseid cloud appears like meteors, because the air is heated to incandescence, and therefore, we witness a rapid streak of light. These are also called falling stars or shooting stars. This meteor shower of Perseid is indeed a wonderful show for nature lovers, but it is to be noted that this phenomenon is not rare, Perseid meteor shower happens each and every year at around the same time, and it is being observed by people from thousands of years. It can produce between 60 and 100 meteors per hour not continuously, but randomly. The video above shows the Perseid meteor shower in the year 2009.

Perseid Meteor Shower

When and Where Meteor Shower Occurs

According to International Meteor Organization, this Perseid meteor shower will occur during August 11 and 13, as against the message, with its peak showing on the night of August 12th, rising from mid-northern locations around local midnight to 1 a.m. People in the northern hemisphere can witness more of Perseids than in south. Perseids is a regular phenomenon that generally happens between July 23 through August 22 and can be observed for several weeks, depending on your location, light conditions and weather. In the reference section, you can find update activity of these Perseid meteor showers in various places across the world.

How to Watch Meteor Shower

Meteor showers like these are easier to view than many other astronomical objects and events. All you need to do is, find a fairly dark location towards northeast, shielded from stray light, including that of Moon. You can avoid the moon light interference by sitting under the shadow of a tree or building. It is advisable to observe these meteor showers during latenight and predawn hours of August 11, 12, and 13, the peak meteor shower expected during midnight of August 12, 2012.